The Bruins have hired Joe Sacco to serve as an assistant coach, replacing Geoff Ward on Claude Julien's coaching staff. Ward resigned from his post this offseason to take a head coaching position in Germany.

Sacco, a 45-year-old Medford native who starred at Boston University, was the head coach of the Avalanche from 2009-13, making the playoffs in his first season while being a Jack Adams Award finalist. He was fired last spring and spent last season as an assistant coach and scout for the Sabres.

During his time with the Avs, Sacco was known as a hard-liner who wasn't afraid of sitting his top players when they weren't performing to expectations.

He replaces Ward, who ran the Bruins' power play during his seven seasons under Julien. It was a unit that showed huge improvement last season, jumping to third in league rankings.

As a player, Sacco played in 738 NHL games with the Maple Leafs, Mighty Ducks, Islanders, Capitals and Flyers, registering 94 goals and 119 assists. Other coaching experiences includes one year each as an AHL assistant with the Lowell Lock Monsters (2004-05) and Albany River Rats (2006-07) as well as two years as head coach of the Lake Erie Monsters (2007-09).

Sacco will be introduced to the Boston media this afternoon when he's joined by Julien on a conference call.